Distinctive Software

Distinctive Software logo

Distinctive Software, Inc. (DSI) was a Canadian game developer established in Burnaby, British Columbia, by Don Mattrick and Jeff Sember after their success with the game Evolution.^[1] Distinctive Software was the predecessor to EA Canada. Most DSI games were distributed by Accolade.

Distinctive Software was best known in the late 1980s for their ports, racing and sports games, including the Test Drive series and Stunts. The code base for 1987's Test Drive was also used for Test Drive II: The Duel, 1988's Grand Prix Circuit, and 1989's The Cycles: International Grand Prix Racing.^{[citation needed]}

DSI also made sports games like 4D Boxing, and the second title in the Hardball series.

In 1991, DSI was acquired by Electronic Arts in a deal worth US$11M and became EA Canada. This was significant blow to Accolade, which lost credibility and market share in the following years.^{[citation needed]}

Trade-named as Unlimited Software, Inc., and lawsuit

In 1989, programmers Pete Gardner and the "Old Kid" (Amory Wong) of DSI, under the pseudonym USI (Unlimited Software, Inc.), converted Sega's arcade game Out Run into a PC DOS version. Consequently, Accolade charged that DSI violated a working agreement, and sued.^{[citation needed]}

Notable games

References

External links

• Mobygames page